"No. But, for the sake of an example, will you tell me what you did with yourself since leaving the drawing-room last night at ten?" "Certainly. I have no reason to conceal my doings, officer," said Mr. Granger, angrily. "I retired to my bedroom at ten and to bed. The last I saw of Madame she was standing on the door-step bidding farewell to her guests. In the morning I was awakened by the news of the murder, and went out to walk off the horror produced by the sight of that poor woman." "Did you see the body?" "We all saw the body, till Miss Bull----" "I turned them out and locked the door," put in Miss Bull, sharply. "It was as well that nothing should be disturbed in the room till the police arrived. That was my argument." "And a very good one," said Quex, approvingly. "You have a head on your shoulders, Miss." "My father was a general," replied the old maid, nodding, "and I inherit his talent for organization." The next witness examined was Margery, and she refused to open her mouth unless she sat by Miss Bull. The old maid held Margery's hand and coaxed her into answering when she proved recalcitrant. Quex could not but admire the way in which Miss Bull managed the lumpish creature. "You left the drawing-room with this lady?" he asked, indicating Miss Bull, and speaking in a persuasive tone. "Yes. We played 'Patience' in Miss Bull's bedroom. I did it twice." "At what time did you leave?" "About eleven--just before it." "Did the clock strike the hour when you were in your own bedroom?" "No," said Margery, trying to collect her wits, "when I was in the passage." "What were you doing in the passage? It would only take you a few minutes to get to your room, would it not?" "Yes," put in Miss Bull. "My bedroom is on the second floor, and Margery's is on the fourth, right above my head. You could easily have got to your room before the clock struck, Margery. "I did try to," admitted the girl, "but my aunt kept me talking." Quex sat up. "Did you speak to your aunt at that hour?" "Yes. She met me walking up to my room, and scolded me for being out of bed at that hour. I said I had been with Miss Bull, and----" "And Madame made polite remarks about me," said the old maid, grimly. "Oh, I can well understand what she said. But it would seem, Mr. Inspector, that Margery was the last person to see Madame alive." "We'll see," said Quex, who was not going to be taught his business even by so clever a person as Miss Bull. "Was there any one else about?" he asked Margery. "No. My aunt said that every one was in bed but me, and that she would not have it. The clock struck eleven, and she called me names. She then took me by the arm and pushed me into my room and locked the door. Yes, she did," nodded Margery, vindictively; "she locked the door." "Why did she do that?" asked Quex staring.